1920s dinner party

[sadkfjaskfaj]

Have a company dinner coming up next month with a 1920s theme. Dinner at a nice hotel. Invite said suggested that it included but was not limited to a Gatsby outfit.

First thought was to go in a charcoal suit and tie, with a flat cap (with the flat cap being what would hopefully "date" the outfit as 1920s). But then I realized that once I went indoors it'd be uncomfortable/weird to wear the hat anyway. Plus, the cut of my charcoal suit isn't particularly 20s. So I don't like that idea.

So my second idea is just to run with the Gatsby theme and go full black tie.

I do know that some other people are gonna **** around show up in pretty informal stuff though (suspenders, flat cap, brown trouseres). Only concern is that I don't want to be too overdressed.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Obviously, I would ideally buy clothes that are very obviously 1920s, but I don't want to waste money on stuff I'd never wear again.

 

[moltoelegante]

By the 1920s, the suit was already very close to today's suit but the trousers were more full and high-waisted. That's about it.

Prince of Wales, 1924:

 

[sadkfjaskfaj]

I suppose I could just go in a regular suit and say "hey, look, the cut of my suit is almost identical to those worn in the 20s". But I think that wouldn't exactly be fitting the implied theme - ie something overtly 20s.

 

[dieworkwear]

Do you have a three-piece suit or maybe something from RRL?

 

[moltoelegante]

I suppose I could just go in a regular suit and say "hey, look, the cut of my suit is almost identical to those worn in the 20s". But I think that wouldn't exactly be fitting the implied theme - ie something overtly 20s.

Understood. The problem is that the hats are the main difference between now and then and you already excluded that option. I can only suggest high-waisted trousers with suspenders (as demonstrated below by our own Alan Bee and I happen to think it's a great look) or go the full black tie but do it in style

 

[comrade]

If you want to look like a 20s Ivy graduate, just get a three piece sack suit
from J. Press or the like and a button down shirt with a good roll and you'll
look like Scot Fitzgerald:

 

[classicalthunde]

I say ball out and wear your tux if you have one, I doubt a company that planned a theme 1920's dinner would turn their nose up at something being too costume-y under those circumstances.

If you wanted to wear a suit, I would look towards accessories to make it look old timey: maybe a picket watch, a fedora, a sleeveless cardigan to wear underneath a sport coat, some bucks, etc...